Title Government, Childhood Obesity, and Healthy Eating

Abstract: Students will examine the effects of childhood obesity and government efforts to promote healthy eating. Students will research the short and long term effects of childhood obesity, especially concerning diabetes. Students will also study new government intiatives to promote healthy eating.

Learning Targets: I can identify the causes of childhood obesity and its effects on the human body. I can research and identify the government's efforts to promote healthy eating; including both the "pro" and "con" discussions about the government's involvement in combating childhood obesity. I can write an informational essay about childhood obsetiy and its effects; along with ways the governement is trying to combat childhood obesity. I can write and film a short editorial, about government efforts to promote healthy eating, by choosing a "for" or "against" position and explaining the side I have chosen.

Procedure: Students will use the internet to research the government's dietary guidelines for Americans and other nutrtional guidelines. Students will begin their research using the following sites: www.pyramid.gov/ ; www.cnpp.usda.gov/ ; www.nutrition.gov/ ; www.healthy-eating-politics.com/usda-food-pyramid.html ; www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/ Students will use a graphic organizer titled 'Governemnt Guidelines" to take notes on what the government feels is a proper diet/healthy eating and the food pyramid. Students will continue their research using a cause and effect graphic organizer. Students will research the causes and childhood obesity and their effects. Students will begin their research using the follwing sites: www.causesofchildhoodobesity.org/ www.mayoclinic.comhealth/childhood-obesity/DS00698/ www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2008-01-13-childhood-obesity_N.htm www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html Both mental and physical effects will be included on the organizer, along with immediate effects of childhood obesity, and those that can occur years later. Teacher will monitor progress and check in with the students. Students may try their own searches if time permits. After the 'Goverment Guidelines" and childhoodhood obesity cause and effect organizers have been completed; students will share their findings, comments, and questions with the class. Students will research Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' campaign as an example of government efforts to stop childhood obesity. Before students begin their research, the teacher will introduce other intiatives taken up by various First Lady's. Students will read articles and watch videos to gain an understanding of the campaign. Students will have a graphic organizer titled "Lets Move,' and take notes on what they have read and watched about the intiative. Student organizers will be divided into 4 columns: WHY-the reasons for the Michelle's Obama intiative; WHAT- those things that are promoted/encouraged in the intiative (activities, foods, etc..) PRO-reasons to support the 'Lets Move' initiative; CON- reasons not to support, or reasons the initiative may fail. Students will begin their research reading and viewing the following articles and videos: www.letsmove.gov/ ;www.chicagotribune.com/sns-health-michelle-obama-anti-obesity-intiative,0,7668255.story ; www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/mary-kate-cary/2010/05/13/michelle-obamas-anti-obesity-plan-too-much-to-swallow ; www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-michelle-obama-obesity-20110227,0;44957.story ; www.grist.org/article/is-there-too-much-lets-hope-in-the-lets-move-anti-obesity-campaign ; www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/health/nutrition/10obesity.html ; www.obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/2020/08/first-lady-michelle-obamas-lets-move.html ; www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/speakout/health/jan-june10/whitney_03-12.html ; www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQiC_bdiXwO; www.youtube.com/watch?v=amrq09F71u4&feature=fvsr; www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYCyFmFwr5S; www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVApH4h-0dK; www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVBynbVEjs*&feature=related; www.youtube.com/watch?v=amrqO9f71u4&feature=related; www.youtube.com/watch?v=18i_LAaHgKQ. Students will share their completed 'Lets Move' organizers with the class, while the teacher writes down what they have researched on chart paper. Teacher will lead a class discussion on the pro and cons which the students have found about the governemnt intiative. Students will use their organizers to write a informational essay ( at least 5 paragraphs) about childhoodhood obesity; essay will include causes and effects of childhood obesity and effective ways to combat it. Students will also use their organizers and research to develop an editorial script.Students will develop a pro or con on the following topics: Philadelphia soda tax; San Fransico ban on toys with happy meals; attempt to ban Ronald McDonald in advertisements; the Let's Move campaign.Students will use Cam Studio to record their editorial after selecting a compatible video.

Assessment Rubric: Government Guidelines Graphic Organizer; Childhood obesity Cause and Effect Graphis Organizer; Lets Move Graphic Organizer; Informational Essay; Editorial (written script and recording)